For the past twenty+ years, the time trial location has migrated. In the early 2000s, it started and finished at the bowling alley, running through the industrial park and around the rec center in a 1.5 mile out-and-back. Around 2010, it moved to the central campus of Saline Area Schools, circling Campus Loop 1.5 times. Around 2015, construction at Heritage School forced us to try a loop on the campus of the high school, but it was a complicated loop that was mostly confusing for athletes, coaches, and parents; it returned to the central campus the year after.

In 2024, after successfully hosting SEC Jamboree #2 on our new home course in 2023, the coaches and athletes opted to move the trial to the high school campus course. The simple one-mile loop provides plenty of opportunities for spectators to catch the action. That's good for the sport. 

The athletes seem to be fine with it too, so we've kept it for 2025 and hopefully many years going forward. It might not be scenic, but they enjoy the support they find every step of the race.

After the 2023 SEC Jamboree, there was a bit of noise about how our coure had to be short. Coach Ditri and I lengthened the course for 2024, but now it seems to be long. How long? Who cares. Just like in 2023, it's about 5000 meters, just like every other XC course in Michigan.

We've written about him for several years here, but Junior Year Jake is not the Jake you knew from the past. A summer of 40-50+ mile weeks has transformed this already strong runner into one to watch for the podium at the state meet in November. He wasted no time showing he's the one to beat on this team this season by running to a 16:26 finish Friday night. It's worth noting that this is nearly TWO MINUTES faster than he ran at the TT last year. Keep your eyes on his times as they go down each week.

Every year we're lucky enough to get talented athletes from the Middle School XC team. This year is no exception. Incoming freshman Will Sollenberger made his first official performance as a Saline Hornet count by running 17:46 and finishing as the 7th athlete across the line. The battle for our top 7 will be fierce this year, and I expect young Will to be up to the challenge.

Of the 30 finishers on Friday, 13 of them were 9th graders. This bodes well for the future success of this team. We look forward to helping developing these young athletes in their first year on the HS team and we hope we give them the great experience this program is known for.